With a Ja Morant split looking inevitable, the Grizzlies need a new starting point guard. Here are three candidates who could fill that role next season.
The Memphis Grizzlies' divorce with Ja Morant is only growing more inevitable.
You've likely heard the latest. Morant didn't participate in a Fan Participation night in Memphis. It seems both sides blame the other. Either Morant wouldn't give a fan a t-shirt, or the Grizzlies didn't give him one to give away.
In any case, this is merely one in a long line of incidents. It is almost certain that Morant will play for someone else next year. It raises a question: Who will start for the team at point guard next season?
Here are three potential candidates for the job.
Ty Jerome
Why not stick with something that's worked?
Jerome certainly looked like a starting-caliber player during the 15 games he played with Memphis this year. He averaged 19.7 points and 5.7 assists in just 22.6 minutes per game.
If there's a sticking point (beyond Jerome's health), it will be his age. He's 28. If the Grizzlies want to compete as soon as possible, that won't deter them from starting Jerome. If they're committed to a rebuild, they may want to go younger.
In that event, this candidate will suit them.
Darius Acuff Jr.
This could easily be Kingston Fleming or Mikal Brown Jr. Instead, we went with the highest-rated point guard in this year's draft (given that Darryn Peterson is more of an off-guard). That would be Arkansas' Darius Acuff Jr.
He was tremendous this year. Acuff averaged 23.5 points and 6.4 assists per game for Arkansas this year. He can make any pick-and-roll read, and score from all three levels.
There are concerns about Acuff Jr., but they all revolve around his defense. He's a small guard who has looked problematic on that end. If that's a major concern for Memphis, they may prefer to draft Fleming.
Alternatively, they may bring in a different veteran with whom they wouldn't have that worry.
Davion Mitchell (Miami Heat)
If they're trading Morant, they're getting something in return. The Heat have been a heavily rumored landing spot for the star Grizzlies guard. Could they bring Mitchell back?
If so, he could earn this nod. Mitchell isn't a star, but he's a solid game-managing point guard. He averaged 9.3 points and 6.6 assists per game this year while shooting 38.9% from three.
Still, more of his value comes on the defensive end. Mitchell isn't a big guard, but he does have a plus wingspan, and his effort is relentless. Like Jerome, he's older (27), but if that's not a problem for Memphis, they could be happy to bring him on board:
Inevitably, they'll be replacing Morant somehow.